3 and 4 Conductor Wires for Lionel Trains!!

[lionel2]

Where is the best place to find cheap brand new 3 and 4 conductor wires??  Is there a certain website that has cheap wires in bulk??  I am looking for about 300 feet of 3 conductor wire and about 200 feet of 4 conductor wire.  Made some additions to my layout and needed wire for 022 switch controllers and UCS track sections.  Thanks and any help will do.

[laz 57]

LIONEL2,

  Here's a site hope this helps?

http://www.candwlaw.com/conductor-wire/

laz57

[Konga Man]

I can't answer your question, but I can say this: a lot of folks run two-conductor wire between the controller and the switch.    The controller can then be grounded with a short lead to a nearby ground point (like the transformer or a ground bus).  You might save a lot of money on wire that way, and get better performance to boot.

[bfskinner]

You might try this source, although I'm not sure he'd have 300 feet in stock. One trick is to buy only 4-conductor wire and strip off one strand,  but if you need mostly 3-strand that would not be economical.

As for cost: be aware that there is some wire of the type you want that is pure junk. The insulation absolutely will not strip properly.  I wouldn't want five inches of it, much less 500 feet.

Charlie is a good man and has been very helpful to me. Ask about his parts catalog. No website. Please call after 9:00 am and before 9:00 pm, EASTERN time.

Charles F. Schmitt, 410-974-4736. 

 

[steve24944]

I have used telephone wire.   The 4 wire works well  for switches and uncoupling tracks.  I have bought the wire in 100 foot lengths at Lowe's.   I also use the wire for signals.

[runtime]

laz 57

LIONEL2,

  Here's a site hope this helps?

http://www.candwlaw.com/conductor-wire/

laz57

The site listed above by laz57 also has a fantastic U-tube clip of a big UP steamer going from standstill to full bore.  You've gotta see it!!

runtime

[lionelsoni]

Thermostat cable is cheap and can be had with as many as 10 solid 18- or 20-AWG conductors.

[bfskinner]

lionelsoni

Thermostat cable is cheap and can be had with as many as 10 solid 18- or 20-AWG conductors.

Very true, Bob, and it's color-coded which can be very helpful. I've used it many times. But  generally it needs to be well  hidden, except perhaps for the "business ends," because in my experience it comes with a tough, round, brown or gray outer sheath. If one wants to replicate the look of the original three- and four-conductor  FLAT cable in BLACK, it is still available as I have indicated above, although 500 feet of it would likely be quite expensive even when bought in bulk. It does staple well.

Of course, one could use a combination of the two types, although that sounds like too much work.

 

 

[Boyd]

You can also buy bulk rolls of automotive trailer wire on rolls. I don't know the guage of the wires though. Some use thicker wire than others.

[ADCX Rob]

Konga Man

I can't answer your question, but I can say this: a lot of folks run two-conductor wire between the controller and the switch.    The controller can then be grounded with a short lead to a nearby ground point (like the transformer or a ground bus).  You might save a lot of money on wire that way, and get better performance to boot.

Right on the money.

AND, the UCS/RCS/1019/6019 sections only need two wires between the controller and the track too. 

One wire left off is ground and the same connection can be made  from the controller to a nearby transformer or ground bus at the control panel.

The other wire left off is track power - a connection for this can also be made  from the controller to a nearby transformer or track power bus at the control panel, or better yet, to a separate transformer sharing a common ground with the track transformer so you can unload/uncouple even when the train is shut off, and you can fine tune the voltage for operating cars.

[O-GaugeOscar]

I purchased some trailer (boat, camper, etc.) wiring harnesses at Menards (local competitor of Home Depot and Lowe's) and cut off the plugs at both ends.  However, I believe the harnesses were only offered in 25 foot lengths.